Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has criticised President John Dramani Mahama over his decision to appoint and swear in Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC).

Agbenyo’s previous association with the National Democratic Congress (NDC), particularly her involvement in the party’s manifesto committee ahead of the 2024 general elections, has raised concerns about the perceived political neutrality of the Electoral Commission.

Kpebu said he was shocked when he learned of the President’s decision, which he believes contradicts the reset agenda Mahama promised during the 2024 general election campaign.

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“This one is a reset in reverse; that is not the legacy. It was like a fairy tale in the negative sense. I couldn’t believe my ears; I was like, ‘What is this?’” he said during an appearance on The Key Points, aired on TV3 on October 17, 2026.

The outspoken lawyer also criticised what he described as a double standard, arguing that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had been condemned for making similar appointments, only for Mahama to follow the same pattern.

Kpebu further indicated that he might reconsider his support for President Mahama if future appointments continues in a manner he believes undermines the integrity of the Electoral Commission.

“We made all the noise against Akufo-Addo’s appointment. In 2024, the NDC raised issues against the Director of the EC; we were here making all the noise. This is a strong race to the bottom. I am not sure that after a year I will continue to support JM. This appointment doesn’t look like him, the reset he promised,” he said.

President Mahama’s decision to appoint Emelia Agbenyo to the EC has drawn criticism from some prominent personalities and Ghanaians, with concerns centring on her previous association with the NDC and the perceived political neutrality of the Commission.

Watch the video below:

The NDC appointing Emelia Agbenyo into the EC is a strong race to the bottom. This appointment does not look like the 'Reset' President John Mahama promised. This is a 'Reset in reverse' – Martin Kpebu, Private Legal Practitioner

#TheKeyPoints #TV3GH https://t.co/QzVFUb6Dqj

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) October 17, 2026